Psalm 119:9-16, ESV
Beth How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

Psalm 119:9-16, JN paraphrase
Goal: Keep my way pure by:
1) Guarding my way according to the Word of the LORD.
2) Storing the Word in my heart
3) Examining possible actions against the lens of the Word.
4) Listening to the guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT.
5) Meditate, delight, remember.

Recommended Reading

How about Table Talk, A monthly devotional with a stimulating series of daily devotionals and short commentaries on related subjects. We find it to be a very valuable wrap-up to our day in the trenches.

Psalm 11:1-3, ESV
To the choirmaster. Of David. In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

Psalm 11:1-3, JN paraphrase
The key to my protection is the foundation of the Word of the LORD. It is the only reliable protection against the slings and arrows of the evil one. Therefore I must be unfailing in maintaining the integrity of my understanding of the Scripture and application to my life.
My first question, is every circumstance, must be “What saith the LORD?” If the response is “Nothing or don’t worry”, pack your bag and run, John, there’s an arrow headed in your direction.

Recommended Reading

How about Table Talk, A monthly devotional with a stimulating series of daily devotionals and short commentaries on related subjects. We find it to be a very valuable wrap-up to our day in the trenches.

Psalm 10:16-18, ESV
The LORD is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land. O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

Psalm 10:16-18, JN paraphrase
The ear of the LORD. The LORD, King forever, banish-er of nations, the ear of the afflicted, the bringer of justice to the fatherless and oppressed, the One who insures that Satan will strike terror no more against the Lord’s own.

Recommended Reading

Providence by John Piper. Piper takes two words, "God’s Benefice," replaces it with one word, "Providence" and then takes 704 pages to explain what he means. Truly a delightful read.

Psalm 10:13-15, ESV
Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”? But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none.

Psalm 10:13-15, JN paraphrase
Can’t you just see the Wicked One shaking his fist at the LORD, God, the Almighty and declaring that the LORD does not exist and if He did anyway, He will have no right to call the critic to account. We, His people, are directed to step in and help the fatherless, and chastise the wicked one.

Recommended Reading

Providence by John Piper. Piper takes two words, "God’s Benefice," replaces it with one word, "Providence" and then takes 704 pages to explain what he means. Truly a delightful read.

Psalm 119:1-8, ESV
Aleph Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!

You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!

Psalm 119:1-8, JN paraphrase
Complete perfection is marked by total obedience to the Word of the LORD. Their life is a walk that is marked by conformance to t he Law in every aspect.

Your Law is to be kept diligently—that is kept in every aspect. Then and only then will I be able to hold my head up as a diligent child of the LORD, God, the Almighty.

Then and only then will I be able to praise You with an upright heart. Guide me step by step.

Recommended Reading

Providence by John Piper. Piper takes two words, "God’s Benefice," replaces it with one word, "Providence" and then takes 704 pages to explain what he means. Truly a delightful read.

Note

The publication of“ Voices Together” and my participation in the Gathering and the Cafe, will be somewhat erratic for a time to come. Some medical problems will interfere from time to time. 17+ years of publishing VT without missing a day has come to an end.

I need to look at this phase of my life as a time of learning to minister to the elderly. The next step.